Phillies Doubleheader Recap: Phils win one, lose one.

Game Recaps:
After Vance Worley and the offense couldn't get anything going in the first game of the doubleheader yesterday, Roy Oswalt pitched seven strong innings and the Phils scored seven runs to split the twin bill and pull to within a half game of the Atlanta Braves.

What went right?

Game One:

Ryan Howard was 1-4 and scored the only run of the game.

Jayson Werth went 1-4 and drove Howard in with a double

Game Two:

Shane Victorino batted leadoff and went 3-5 with an RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored.

Placido Polanco was 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Chase Utley was 2-4, scored a run and drove in two.

Jimmy Rollins went 1-4 with a run scored.

Raul Ibanez was 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Roy Oswalt didn't have his best stuff, but he had enough to pick up his fifth win with the Phillies. He pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

What went wrong?

Game One:

Aside from Howard and Werth, the Phillies had a single base hit, and that was from Brian Schneider. The rest of the team couldn't even get a hit.

Vance Worley only lasted five innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He walked a batter and struck out five.

Chad Durbin couldn't keep the game close in the later innings, allowing two runs on two hits in an inning and a third.

Mike Zagurski was even worse, allowing three runs to score in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Game Two:

Ryan Howard was 0-3 with two strikeouts.

Domonic Brown reached base twice on walks, but was 0-2 for the game.

Game Analysis:

It really was a tale of two different games yesterday, and that's been the story for the Phillies all season long. Against a pitcher making his major league debut in the first game of the doubleheader, the Phils couldn't get anything going, only managing a single hit and two walks against Adalberto Mendez. Vance Worley didn't pitch that badly, but he just didn't get any run support for his first major league start. The less said about the first game, the better. Nothing went right for the Phils in that game, as they couldn't hit, and their bullpen just couldn't keep the Marlins from adding insurance runs in the late innings. The five runs that Florida scored in the eighth and ninth innings helped pad their lead and ensured that they would be getting out of the doubleheader with at least one win.

Then came the second game, and with it, a different looking team. Somehow, almost the exact same players that couldn't hit a rookie were able to drive Anibal Sanchez out of the game after just four innings of work. Sure, most of the damage got done in the five run second inning, but that's what this team does best. The offense hits you with one huge punch early and lets you stagger around to try and figure out what happened. That was exactly the case in the second game last night. Florida picked up an early lead in the top of the second, but then the floodgates opened as Sanchez walked Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz to force in a run and get the top of the lineup to the plate with the bases loaded.

From there, Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco did the rest, driving in three runs and giving the Phils enough for the rest of the game. Polanco and Chase Utley weren't done yet, as Polanco tripled to start the fifth inning and Utley drove him home and then scored on a double by Raul Ibanez. The second game was a much better showing by the Phillies in general, and it was one that they needed to win. The Braves dropped their first game of their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, so with the win in the nightcap, the Phils pulled to within a half game of first place in the National League East. It's not exactly where they want to be, but they'll take it, especially after chasing the Braves since the end of May.

Roy Oswalt also pitched the second game, and while he had some issues, he still looked very good out on the mound last night. He surrendered three home runs, but considering Roy Halladay gave up four in his last start, I don't think anyone really cares, so long as the Phillies end up on the winning end of the game. Oswalt has still looked great as a member of the Phils, and this was his fifth straight win since starting out 0-1 in his first two starts. If he had been pitching with the Phillies all season, he might have as many wins as Halladay does this season, and that's a scary thought.

Right now, Oswalt might be pitching the best out of anyone on this team, but there's nothing wrong with that. When a team can have three pitchers that are capable of throwing a gem each time they step onto the mound, then that's a very good problem to have. The season's not over yet, but with each win, the Phillies are getting closer to a playoff spot. They're not there yet, but they're getting closer. With a win and a Braves loss against the Pirates today, the Phillies will be back in first place. Keep your fingers crossed.

Tonight, Joe Blanton (6-6, 5.25 ERA) tries to not suck as he faces off against Chris Volstad (9-9, 4.82 ERA).